by John Jefferson

Archery-only seasons for white-tailed deer, mule deer and wild turkeys closes Fri. Nov. 1.

Check the TPW Outdoor Annual (OA) for the county(ies) you hunt.

The regular seasons for white-tailed deer and wild turkeys open Saturday, November 2.

There are exceptions. (See OA.) TPWD forecasts exceptional white-tailed deer hunting, as reported here earlier.

“Given that over half the state experienced excellent habitat conditions this spring, it will be another great season,” said TPWD White-tailed Deer Program Leader, Blaise Korzekwa.

Blaise sounded excited talking about this year when we spoke.

No late season tropical storms to muddy ranch roads nor spawn new vegetation that keeps deer away from feeders!

An abundant acorn crop might still interfere. Spring and summer rains boosted nut bearing trees, but production is iffy.

Although one source near Kerrville reports the acorn crop is off, he said antlers look promising.

Rain is forecast for early November, but it doesn’t look like it’ll dampen hunting. It takes something close to a flash flood to keep deer hunters home.

Four NE Texas counties have mandatory harvest reporting of all deer taken.

Twenty- four counties require reporting of all antlerless deer removed.

The OA must be checked for the county(ies) that you hunt. They’re near the back of the OA.

Mule deer seasons are different. The Panhandle season runs Nov. 23- Dec. 8.

The Trans-Pecos season (including Brewster, Pecos, and Terrell counties) is open Nov. 29- Dec. 15

The above are FALL season. Spring Turkey seasons are different. Need I say again to check the OA for the county in which you will be hunting?

Quail Season opened statewide on October 26.

It looked promising early on. Roadside counts confirmed increases in most regions.

The Rolling Plains and South Texas should be particularly good hunting for bobwhites.

Scaled quail increased in the Rolling Plains, High Plains, and Edwards Plateau.

Overall, it looks about like last season – and that’s good.

Steady rains have Increased ducks five percent from last year.

Mallards are up 8%, wigeons 55%, greenwing teal 20% and scaup 16%.

Regular seasons open in High Plains Mallard Unit November 1, South Zone on November 2, North Zone on November 9.

Light and dark goose seasons open November 2 in East and West Zones. Youth/military seasons and bag limits are in the OA.

Overall hunting prospects never sounded better!

JJ